Phillies win on back-to-back walk-off; Howard and Ruiz MRIs
The Phillies took an otherwise boring game and brought some excitement to those who remained in Citizens Bank Park on this dreary Sunday. With the team trailing 2-1, just having snapped their 16-inning scoreless streak, the Phils were staring down the barrel of Aroldis Chapman. Undeterred, Erik Kratz tied the game with a homer and Freddy Galvis won it with a line-drive shot that just cleared the left field wall.
The Ninth Inning
Delmon Young led off the ninth and promptly drew a four pitch walk from the flame-throwing Chapman. As we all know, D. Young is not the fleetest-of-foot; but still the choice to pinch-run with Cliff Lee is always a questionable one. Lee got caught in a rundown after Chapman attempted a pick-off. It was a poor baserunning move and Cliff knew it. He was visibly frustrated in the dugout as Erik Kratz stepped to the plate. After Chapman threw a few of his signature high-90s fastballs, Kratz zeroed in on one and delivered it to the left field seats. The crowd celebrated, but Lee’s pickoff was still fresh in their minds. Lee’s reaction said it all after the Kratz homer – he knew that would have been the win.
Nonetheless, the game was tied and Freddy Galvis was up. He had started the game at third base, with Michael Young at first, so that Ryan Howard could have the day off (more on him later). Galvis took a 99 mph fastball for a ball and fouled off the next pitch. The third pitch, a slower 95-mph fastball, landed just over the left field wall inside the foul pole for Galvis’ first career walk off homer. For the 15,000-or-so fans remaining in the stadium, it was well worth the patience required to watch an anemic offense play on a misty Sunday afternoon. The low scoring and high drama made it feel almost like a soccer game.
Pitching
Jonathan Pettibone had another solid outing, going seven innings with just one earned run coming off a Joey Votto blast to centerfield. The Phillies are 5-1 when he starts. Justin De Fratus and Antonio Bastardo each allowed a hit in relief, but kept the Reds from scoring any more runs. Bastardo got the win and becomes the only second Phils reliever with multiple wins on the season.
Injuries
There’s some bad news on the injury front. As mentioned, Ryan Howard had the day off due to soreness in his left knee. After the game, it was announced that he will undergo a precautionary MRI on Monday. He mentioned that his knee has “been acting up”, and some speculate he may be overcompensating for his previously injured Achilles. If Howard does see time on the DL, it may indirectly give Galvis an opportunity for more playing time.
Carlos Ruiz left the game after the second inning today. He tweaked his right hamstring while running first-to-third on Freddy Galvis’ first hit of the afternoon. Chooch said he felt something “pop” and, like Howard, will have an MRI on Monday.
Game Notes
The Phillies are off to Miami for a 3-game series before heading to DC then Boston…Ben Revere is now batting .406 in the month of May…Tyler Cloyd was recalled to pitch Tuesday…This was the first time ever the Phillies won a game on back-to-back HR’s in bottom of the ninth inning.
